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Sportsnet and TSN retain EPL rights

A day after the major announcement of the English Premier League rights in the US changing hands from Fox/ESPN to NBC Sports Network, today we learn that the Canadian rights will be staying the same — in a way — for the next three years as Sportsnet and TSN sign an extension through to the 2015-16 season.

The major change sees TSN/RDS gaining three times as many games beginning next year, 190 each season, up from the current number of 50. Sportsnet will broadcast the other 190 matches of the season. The games that Sportsnet loses are presumably the mid-morning games that are either broadcast on delay, or available on Sportsnet World Plus to Rogers cable customers.

I think we can all sigh in relief that BeIn Sports didn’t get their hands on any of the games. It will be interesting to see how TSN handles having more games each week with only two channels available. For those that have it though, it will be a shame Sportsnet World Plus will be losing games after being introduced earlier this year.

The press releases can be read below.

SPORSTNET

As Canada’s undisputed home to all things soccer, Sportsnet today announced it has reached a three-year partnership extension with the Barclays Premier League through the 2015-16 season, continuing a 14-year network tradition of airing Premier League soccer in Canada.

The new agreement features a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights including television, online and mobile, delivering up to 190 matches each season beginning in 2013/14.

“Sportsnet is proud to continue our strong partnership with the Premiere League, furthering our commitment to providing Canadians with unparalleled access to world class soccer content,” said Navaid Mansuri, Vice-President of Finance & Sports Programming, Sportsnet. “The BPL is one of the world’s most prominent soccer leagues and this new agreement has positioned Sportsnet to continue our already unprecedented schedule of soccer programming across multiple platforms in the years to come.”

In August, Sportsnet also announced that it is an official licensed broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup BrazilTM and launched Soccer Central, the nightly one-hour soccer news show providing footy fans with news, highlights and analysis from the world’s best soccer leagues and events, 365 days a year.

TSN

TSN announced today it has reached an agreement with the Premier League, securing media rights to a comprehensive soccer package over the next three seasons.

Beginning in the 2013-14 season, the agreement gives TSN and French-language broadcaster RDS media rights to half of all BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE games through to the 2015-2016 season – approximately 190 games per season – more than tripling its current BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE package up from 50 games per season.

Games will be broadcast across TSN’s industry-leading platforms including TSN, TSN2, TSN.ca and TSN Mobile TV.

The acquisition is the latest major soccer broadcast property acquired by TSN – which is the national broadcaster of Major League Soccer (MLS), the Canadian home of EURO 2016, and the rights holder for the FIFA World Cup™ Soccer Package from 2015 to 2022, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“The Premier League is home to the world’s most popular teams and biggest stars in soccer. With a dedicated and growing fan base in Canada we are looking forward to giving fans even more Premier League coverage with more games on TSN than ever before,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming, TSN. “The BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE package is a perfect complement to our slate of world-class soccer programming.”

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6 thoughts on “Sportsnet and TSN retain EPL rights”

I am not sure why we should sigh in relief at BeIN sport not getting the rights. I am sure they would have put a fantastic package together. At least they would have had 9 months to get the baby out this time.

Who wants second rate Canadian hosts who don’t even know how to pronounce the likes of Tottenham or Leicester? That is what we will get with enhanced TSN coverage. It’s bad enough on Sportsnet Fox Soccer News already.

Better the second rate baby you already know? Not too sure about that one thanks Ticky!

Two small problems though. BeIn doesn’t actually have any channels in Canada, and the fact they also hold the Serie A and La Liga rights which would clash with EPL games. Can’t see them showing all of that on the one channel they might possibly get one day.

I am glad BeIn did not get their hands on the EPL. As far as TSN soccer hosts go it is pretty bad. It would be great if they got James Sharman and Kristian Jack who deserve the big time. But TSN would probably make them wear suits which would likely be a deal breaker.

I’m pretty much happy with this deal. A perfect deal for me would be that TSN got no matches as then I would downgrade my cable package to basic, Sportsnet One and Sportsnet World. If BeIN sport does get a channel in Canada, The only thing I want a posiable BeIn Sport Canada for is 2nd division ( Championship) English football, League Cup and the playoff promotions. I do think that the Spanish La Liga is a excellent I just don’t have the time to watch it and English football.

This is absolutely fantastic news to hear. I’m so glad that TSN and sportsnet are making the agreement, really didnt think they wouldn’t but pretty sweet that so many games will be broadcasted now and a split with tsn and sportsnet. Really should be interesting how tsn does it but I’m happy they are and I love sportsnet for all they have done too and shoul be great turning the TV on the next few years for Chelsea games and all other epl games with alot more on TV now. Should be great to see and excited. The more football(soccer) on Canadian TV the better, especially champions league and EPL. Great stuff and I’m excited! Now don’t have to buy sportsnet world really, but might but I don’t think and won’t have to watch as many on computer and more o TV. Cheers :)